Coaches Profile: Andrew McKnight

Andrew McKnight, an outstanding Alliance coach from 1994 - 1999, rejoined the Alliance Coaching Staff in the fall of 2001, much to the delight of the entire Alliance organization. Andrew graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA degree in Sport Studies in 1999 and finished his Masters Degree at Iowa in Sport and Cultural Studies in 2003.

He moved to Iowa City in 1994 and began work with the Alliance (formerly ICYSA) shortly thereafter. His wife, Carrie, had enrolled in Dental School at the University of Iowa so it was clear that he would be in Iowa City for some time. He had coached a school team in Scotland and was the Assistant Coach at City High School. He thought it was a great opportunity for him to work with Ian Parratt in a community like Iowa City. Andrew coached with the Alliance for a little over 4 years.

In 1999 Carrie graduated from Dental School and Andrew was offered a position with the State Soccer Association as their Associate State Director of Coaching. His position with the state association was multifaceted. He was primarily responsible for ensuring that the state soccer association fulfilled its mission of offering quality programs of inclusion; Top Soccer (program for kids and adults with disabilities) and Soccer Start (program for players from low income/disadvantaged areas of the state) to name two. He also worked in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) training state select players. Andrew obtained his USSF “A” coaching license in January 2001.  He also holds the National Youth License, a license which improves a coaches ability to train the youngest players (U-6 - U-12).

Andrew grew up in Airdrie Scotland and played on a number of teams as a youth player spending most of his time with St Margarets Boys Club. At age 15, he was given the opportunity to play with Airdrie Boys Club. This was the feeder system for the local professional club so it was a thrill to be involved. He remembers the standard was very high with tremendous demands being placed on players in terms of their personal fitness and application. At the same time he was asked to coach a group of 11 year old boys in an event known as the Airdrie Schools Cup. This was the oldest Schools Cup competition in the world and it was his first exposure to coaching young players. He had played in the event four years earlier so he was thrilled to be involved in a coaching capacity. The event took place at Broomfield Park (Airdrie Football Club’s stadium). Having lost in the semi finals as a player, it was tremendous for Andrew to win it three years in a row as assistant and later the Head Coach. Sadly, the competition was disbanded in 1995 after 109 years. The trophy can be found in the Hampden Museum, home of the Scottish National Team in Glasgow Scotland.

Article By Nyla Sackett -  From The Spring 2002 Alliance Newsletter " The Score"